For decades it was home to entire families who could not afford to pay for bricks and mortar.

But, after sitting largely unused for years, this piece of social history has been discovered in an unlikely place - a suburban garden.

This railway carriage was one of many that the original “plotland” settlers of Woodingdean originally lived in.

While the inside has been completely cleared out, the shell – complete with a “smoking” sign in the carriage window – remains intact as a glamorous but unusual summer house.

But remarkably, even those who have lived in the area for years had no idea that such a large piece of local history was tucked away seemingly camouflaged at the rear of a property in Crescent Drive North, Woodingdean.

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Dee Simson, who represents the area on Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “I was actually unaware that any of these still exist.

“It’s wonderful to look at and walk about it. It’s certainly a real piece of local history. Considering it’s nearly a hundred years old it’s in really good condition.”

Before the 1920s, Woodingdean was a hamlet focused on a farm at the southern end of the current suburb in what is now Ovingdean Close.

However, as Brighton grew, building plots were sold off to those that could afford them.

This led to first generation shacks and houses beginning to appear on previously undeveloped farmland, with styles ranging from wooden huts to railway carriages.

It took years before these were gradually replaced by the post-war homes that most people associate with the area.

Known as the “plotlands”, Peacehaven and parts of Shoreham were also developed this way.

The carriage in Woodingdean was only discovered when the owners of the home sold their property on.

Remarkably the new owners of the home want to get rid of the piece of social history. It is now up to Coun Simson to find a home for the piece. Among the potential suitors she has contacted include the Bluebell Railway.

If you are interested, call 01273 291178.